A04.71 vs Z86.17
A04.71 (Enterocolitis due to Clostridium difficile, recurrent) compared with Z86.17 (Personal history of Clostridioides difficile infection), from the official CMS tabular data. Do not report these codes together: the official tabular list marks them Excludes1.
Can these codes be reported together?
No — do not report together. Z86.17 carries an Excludes1 note covering A04.71: “enterocolitis due to Clostridium difficile, recurrent (A04.71)”
Sole exception: when the two conditions are documented as unrelated to each other (ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).
Side by side
| A04.71Enterocolitis due to Clostridium difficile, recurrent | Z86.17Personal history of Clostridioides difficile infection | |
|---|---|---|
| Billing status | Billable | Billable |
| Classification | A00-B99 — Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (A00-B99) | Z00-Z99 — Factors Influencing Health Status and Contact with Health Services (Z00-Z99) |
| Definition | Enterocolitis due to Clostridium difficile, recurrent is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (A04.71). | — |
| Includes | — | Personal history of Clostridium difficile colitis (fulminant) (nonfulminant) Personal history of foodborne intoxication by Clostridium difficile Personal history of Pseudomembraneous colitis |
| Code first | — | any follow-up examination after treatment (Z09) |
Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources